System and method for blending data sampling techniques

ABSTRACT

A system and method for terrain rendering using a limited memory footprint is presented. A vertical ray intersects a terrain data map at an angle which includes a minor step size. Weighting factors are assigned to triangular data sampling values and quadrilateral data sampling values based upon a vertical ray&#39;s minor step size. As a vertical ray&#39;s minor step size increases, a triangular data sampling&#39;s weighting factor increases and a quadrilateral data sampling&#39;s weighting factor decreases. Weighted triangular data sampling values and weighted quadrilateral data sampling values are combined to generate a vertical ray image point value.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates in general to a system and method forblending data sampling techniques. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a system and method for blending quadrilateral datavalues with triangular data values to generate an image.

2. Description of the Related Art

The increase of computer system processing speeds has allowed today'scomputer systems to perform fairly accurate terrain rendering. In thecomputer gaming industry, for example, three dimensional terrainrendering is an essential, element for providing a “visual reality” tocomputer games. In addition to the gaming industry, three-dimensionalterrain rendering is utilized in other fields, such as flight simulationand environmental planning.

Software developers may use “ray casting” for terrain rendering, whichproduces realistic images. However, ray casting algorithms areinherently complex, and, therefore, require excessive processing time.As an alternative, software developers may use vertical ray coherencefor terrain rendering. Vertical ray coherence is an algorithm thatexploits the geometric fact that if a plane containing two rays isvertical to a plane of a height map, the two rays may be processed usingthe same small subset of data from a digital terrain model.

While performing vertical ray coherence, a computer system uses verticalhalf planes to identify vertical rays, such as height map vertical rays,and computes image values along the height map vertical ray. Thecomputer system typically performs either a quadrilateral or triangularcalculation during image generation. A challenge found, however, is thatconditions exist that one calculation may have an advantage over theother calculation, depending upon the angle of a particular height mapvertical ray, to generate a quality image.

What is needed, therefore, is a system and method to combine theadvantages of quadrilateral calculations with the advantages oftriangular calculations in order to render a quality image.

SUMMARY

It has been discovered that the aforementioned challenges are resolvedby blending quadrilateral data values and triangular data values tocreate an image based upon a height map vertical ray's minor step. Avertical ray half plane intersects a height map and creates a height mapvertical ray. The height map vertical ray is at a particular angle tothe height map, which corresponds to a major step and a minor step. Theminor step is used to compute a triangular weighting factor and aquadrilateral weighting factor. As the minor step increases, thetriangular weighting factor increases, while the quadrilateral weightingfactor decreases. Weighted triangular data sampling values and weightedquadrilateral data sampling values are combined to generate a blendedimage point value.

A height map vertical ray has a corresponding major step and minor step.If a vertical ray travels in the Y direction more than the X direction,the ray is considered Y major and the minor step is an amount at whichthe vertical ray travels in the X direction for every one step in the Ydirection (i.e. major step). Conversely, if a vertical ray travels inthe X direction more than the Y direction, the ray is considered X majorand the minor step is an amount at which the vertical ray travels in theY direction for every one step in the X direction (i.e. major step).

A processor computes a quadrilateral weighting factor and a triangularweighting factor using the height map vertical ray's minor step. Thetriangular weighting factor equals the minor step, and the quadrilateralweight factor equals one minus the minor step.

The processor identifies a height map intersection point that lies onthe height map vertical ray, and retrieves adjacent data points thatcorrespond to the identified height map intersection point. Theprocessor uses the adjacent data points to calculate a quadrilateraldata value and a triangular data value. Both the quadrilateral datavalue and the triangular data value include a normal value and a colorvalue.

The processor computes a blended data value for both the normal valuesand the color values using the triangular weighting factor, thequadrilateral weighting factor, the quadrilateral data value, and thetriangular data value. The processor then computes an aggregate colorvalue using the blended normal values and the blended color values, anduses the aggregate blended data value to generate an image.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, asdefined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limitingdetailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identicalitems.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plurality of rays that originate from aneye point, tracing through a view screen, and intersecting a height map;

FIG. 2A is diagram showing a plurality of height map vertical raystransposed along a height map;

FIG. 2B is diagram showing adjacent data points that correspond to aparticular height map vertical ray;

FIG. 2C is diagram showing scan-line intersection points that correspondto a height map vertical ray;

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a quadrilateral approach to data valuecalculations;

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a triangular approach to data valuecalculations;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing when a processor blends quadrilateral andtriangular data values to generate image values for height mapintersection points that lie on a height map vertical ray;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating an image valueusing a plurality of vertical half planes;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing steps taken in collecting adjacent datapoints for a particular height map vertical ray;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating image values forheight map intersection points;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a cache optimized data format;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps taken in storing data in a cacheoptimized data stream and sending the data stream to a processor forprocessing;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processor element architecture thatincludes a plurality of heterogeneous processors;

FIG. 11A is a block diagram of a first information handling systemcapable of implementing the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a local storage area divided into privatememory and non-private memory; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a second information handling systemcapable of implementing the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is intended to provide a detailed description of anexample of the invention and should not be taken to be limiting of theinvention itself. Rather, any number of variations may fall within thescope of the invention which is defined in the claims following thedescription.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plurality of rays that originate from aneye point, tracing through a view screen, and intersecting a height map.A processor generates images that correspond to the height mapintersections using a limited memory footprint. Height map 110 includesa plurality of data points that are organized by a grid, whereby eachdata point includes height data.

During terrain rendering, a processor identifies eye point 100 and alook-at vector. Eye point 100 corresponds to a location at which a userviews view screen 120 and the look-at vector is a vector that originatesat eye point 100 and pierces the center of view screen 120. Using eyepoint 100, the processor derives the location of down point 130. Downpoint 130 may land either on or off height map 110. In addition, theprocessor derives view screen 120, such as its location from eye point100, its size, and its angle relative to height map 110.

Once the processor derives view screen 120, the processor selects avertical plane sampling density and identifies a list of interestingvertical half planes. An interesting vertical half plane is a half planethat is perpendicular to height map 110, travels through down point 130,and travels through view screen 120. A processor is not required togenerate image pixels that correspond to vertical half planes that donot travel through view screen 120.

The place at which an interesting vertical half plane intersects heightmap 110 creates a height map vertical ray, such as height map verticalray 135. In addition, the place at which the interesting vertical halfplane intersects view screen 120 creates a view screen vertical ray,such as view screen vertical ray 125.

The processor uses view screen vertical ray 125 and eye point 100 toidentify a memory footprint starting point and a memory footprint endingpoint that corresponds to height map vertical ray 135. The processorgenerates ray 140 which originates at eye point 100, travels throughview screen vertical ray 125 at the bottom of view screen 120 (point145), and intersects height map 110 along height map vertical ray 135 atstart point 150. Data below start point 150 is inconsequential togenerating a view in the particular example shown in FIG. 1.

In addition, the processor generates ray 180 which originates at eyepoint 100, travels through view screen vertical ray 125 at the top ofview screen 120 (point 185), and intersects height map 110 along heightmap vertical ray 135 at end point 190. Data above end point 190 isinconsequential to generating a view in the particular example shown inFIG. 1. If end point 190 falls outside of height map 110, the processoruses visibility settings (i.e. cloud coverage) in order to generateimages between the end of height map 110 and end point 190 along heightmap vertical ray 135.

Once start point 150 and end point 190 are identified, the processorcollects data points that are adjacent to height map vertical ray 135and between start point 150 and end point 190, creating a memoryfootprint subset (see FIGS. 2B, 2C, 6, and corresponding text forfurther details regarding adjacent data point collection).

Once the processor collects the memory footprint subset, the processoris ready to generate image values using the memory footprint subset. Theprocessor uses quadrilateral data value calculations and triangular datavalue calculations in order to generate a blended image value. Theprocessor identifies height map vertical ray 135's minor step, andcomputes a quadrilateral weighting factor and a triangular weightingfactor that the processor uses when it generates a blended image value(see FIG. 4 and corresponding text for further details regardingblending techniques).

The processor selects a pixel sampling density that determines thenumber of rays that correspond to each pixel that is located along viewscreen vertical ray 125. For example, the pixel sampling density may be“4” whereby four rays, each starting at eye point 100, are shot at ¼increments through each view screen pixel. In effect, the rays intersectheight map vertical ray 135 at four separate locations. Once theprocessor selects a pixel sampling density, the processor shoots a ray(i.e. ray 160) through a view screen intersection point (i.e. viewscreen intersection point 165) along view screen vertical ray 125. Inturn, ray 160 intersects height map vertical ray 135 at height mapintersection point 170.

Once the processor identifies the location of height map intersectionpoint 170, the processor identifies data points that are adjacent toheight map intersection point 170. The adjacent data points are includedin the memory footprint subset that the processor previously collected.The processor uses the adjacent data points, the quadrilateral weightingfactor, and the triangular weighting factor in order to generate animage value for height map intersection point 170 (see FIG. 7 andcorresponding text for further details regarding image generation). Theprocessor generates images for each height map intersection point alongeach height map vertical ray in order to generate a full image todisplay on view screen 120.

FIG. 2A is diagram showing a plurality of height map vertical raystransposed along a height map. Height map 110 includes data points 200which are organized in a grid. Height map 110 is the same as that shownin FIG. 1. When interesting vertical half planes intersect height map110, height map vertical rays are generated (see FIG. 1 andcorresponding text for further details regarding height map vertical raygeneration).

Vertical ray 135 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and originates ata particular down point. Height map vertical rays 205 through 230 alsooriginate at the same down point but correspond to different interestingvertical half planes. For each height map vertical ray, the processoridentifies adjacent data points and stores the adjacent data points in amemory footprint subset (see FIG. 2B and corresponding text for furtherdetails regarding adjacent data points.

FIG. 2B is diagram showing adjacent data points that correspond to aparticular height map vertical ray. FIG. 2B is the same as FIG. 2Aexcept that it shows only the adjacent data points included in heightmap 110 that are adjacent to height map vertical ray 135. In addition,the processor may collect only adjacent data points that are between amemory footprint start point and a memory footprint end point (see FIG.1 and corresponding text for further details regarding start points andend points).

FIG. 2C is diagram showing scan-line intersection points that correspondto a height map vertical ray. Height map vertical ray 135 intersectsheight map 110 at particular “scan-lines.” These scan-lines correspondto the data point “grid.” A processor calculates scan-line intersectionpoints upfront using a well-known Bresenham line drawing algorithm. Thescan-line intersection points are calculated in order to determine whichdata points are adjacent to a particular height map vertical ray. FIG.2C shows that height map vertical ray 135 intersects the shownscan-lines in four points which are point 282, 287, 292, and 297.

Data points 250 through 275 are data points that are adjacent to heightmap vertical ray 135. A processor uses data points 250 through 275 inorder to calculate quadrilateral data values and triangular data valuesfor height map intersection points along height map vertical ray 135.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a quadrilateral approach to data valuecalculations. FIG. 3A shows four adjacent data points that correspond toheight map vertical ray 300. The four data points are data points 305(“A”), 310 (“B”), 320 (“C”), and 330 (“D”). Height map vertical ray 300intersects two scan lines at scan line intersection points 340 (“t1”)and 350 (“t2”). Point 360 is a height map vertical intersection point inwhich a processor calculates an image values using the data values thatcorrespond to data points 305 through 330. Using standard quadrilateralcalculation techniques, the quadrilateral value of point 360 withcoordinates “x,y” is calculated as follows:V _(top) =t ₁ *B+(1−t ₁)*AV _(bottom) =t ₂ *D+(1−t ₂)*CV _(Quad) =y*V _(top)+(1−y)*V _(bottom)

The value of V_(Quad) is used in conjunction with a triangular datavalue in order to generate a blended data value for point 360. (see FIG.3B and corresponding text for further details regarding triangularcalculations.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a triangular approach to data valuecalculations. FIG. 3B shows four adjacent data points that correspond toheight map vertical ray 380. The four data points are data points 365(“D”), 370 (“E”), 375 (“F”), and 380 (“G”). Height map vertical ray 385includes point 390, which is a height map vertical intersection point inwhich a processor calculates an image using the data values thatcorrespond to data points 365 through 380. Using standard barycentricinterpolation, the triangular value of point 390 with coordinates “x,y”is calculated as follows:V ₁ =y*DV ₂=(1−X)*FV ₃=(x−y)*GV _(tri) =V ₁ +V ₂ +V ₃

The value of V_(tri) is combined with a quadrilateral value in order togenerate a blended value for point 390 (see FIGS. 4, 7, andcorresponding text for further details regarding blended data valuegeneration).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing when a processor blends quadrilateral andtriangular data values to generate image values for height mapintersection points that lie on a height map vertical ray. In addition,guide 400 includes areas where a processor uses only quadrilateral datavalues and areas where a processor only uses triangular data values inorder to generate image values.

A height map vertical ray has a corresponding major step and minor step.The major step may be “Y” major or “X” major, depending upon the “angle”of the height map vertical ray. A height map vertical ray is considered“Y” major when the height map vertical ray travels in the “Y” directionmore than it travels in the “X” direction. In this situation, the heightmap vertical ray's minor step equals the amount that the ray travels inthe “X” direction for every step in the “Y” direction. For example, if aheight map vertical ray travels two steps in the “Y” direction for everyone step in the “X” direction, the height map vertical ray would beconsidered “Y” major, and its corresponding minor step is 0.5 (½ step inthe “X” direction for every one step in the “Y” direction). Arc 490 and499 indicate where a height map vertical ray is considered “Y” major.

Conversely, a height map vertical ray is considered “X” major when theheight map vertical ray travels in the “X” direction more than it doesin the “Y” direction. In this situation, the height map vertical ray'sminor step equals the amount that the ray travels in the “Y” directionfor every step in the “X” direction. Arc 485 and 495 indicate where aheight map vertical ray is considered “X” major. A processor uses theabsolute value of a ray's minor step as a weighting factor in order togenerate image values. For example, if a height map vertical ray's minorstep is −0.6, the processor uses 0.6 as a weighting factor. In thisexample, if T is the value computed through triangular (barycentric)interpolation, and Q is the value computed through quadrilateralinterpolation, the final value would thus be:V=0.6*T+(1.0−0.6)*Q

Guide 400 includes eight axes that are axis 410 through axis 480. Axis410 corresponds to a height map vertical ray traveling zero steps in the“Y” direction for every one step in the “X” direction. In thissituation, a processor uses only quadrilateral values to calculate imagevalues that lie along the particular height map vertical ray. Axis 420corresponds to a height map vertical ray that travels one step in the“Y” direction for every one step in the “X” direction. In thissituation, the height map vertical ray is neither “X” major nor “Y”major, and a processor uses only triangular values to calculate imagevalues that lie along the particular height map vertical ray.

Axis 430 corresponds to a height map vertical ray traveling zero stepsin the “X” direction for every one step in the “Y” direction. In thissituation, a processor uses only quadrilateral values to calculate imagevalues that lie along the particular height map vertical ray. Axis 440corresponds to a height map vertical ray traveling minus one step in the“X” direction for every one step in the “Y” direction. In thissituation, the height map vertical ray is neither “X” major nor “Y”major, and a processor uses only triangular values to calculate imagevalues that lie along the particular height map vertical ray.

Axis 450 corresponds to a height map vertical ray traveling zero stepsin the “Y” direction for every one step in the “X” direction. In thissituation, a processor uses only quadrilateral values to calculate imagevalues that lie along the particular height map vertical ray. Axis 460corresponds to a height map vertical ray traveling minus one step in the“X” direction for every minus one step in the “Y” direction. In thissituation, the height map vertical ray is neither “X” major nor “Y”major, and a processor uses only triangular values to calculate imagevalues that lie along the particular height map vertical ray.

Axis 470 corresponds to a height map vertical ray traveling zero stepsin the “X” direction for every minus one step in the “Y” direction. Inthis situation, a processor uses only quadrilateral values to calculateimage values that lie along the particular height map vertical ray. Axis480 corresponds to a height map vertical ray traveling minus one step inthe “X” direction for every minus one step in the “Y” direction. In thissituation, the height map vertical ray is neither “X” major nor “Y”major, and a processor uses only triangular values to calculate imagevalues that lie along the particular height map vertical ray.

When a height map vertical ray's minor step lies between axes 410through 480, a processor uses quadrilateral values and triangular valuesto generate a blended image value (see FIG. 7 and corresponding text forfurther details regarding blended data value calculations).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating an image valueusing a plurality of vertical half planes. Processing commences at 500,whereupon processing identifies an eye point and a look at vector (step510). The eye point is a point that corresponds to the location of auser, and the look at vector is a vector that starts at the eye pointand travels perpendicular to a view screen. At step 520, processingderives a down point and view screen from the eye point and the look-atvector using standard known techniques (see FIG. 1 and correspondingtext for further details regarding eye point, down point, and viewscreen establishment).

At step 530, processing selects a vertical plane sampling density. Thevertical plane sampling density corresponds to how many “slices” areused through the view screen which, in turn, corresponds to how manyheight map vertical rays are used when generating an image. The higherthe vertical plane sampling density, the more height map vertical rayswhich, in turn, create a higher quality image. Processing identifies alist of interesting vertical half planes at step 540. The interestingvertical half planes are vertical half planes that intersect the viewscreen.

At step 550, processing identifies a height map vertical ray thatcorresponds to the first interesting vertical half plane. A height mapvertical ray is a ray on a height map that corresponds to the verticalhalf plane (see FIG. 1 and corresponding text for further detailsregarding height map vertical rays). Processing identifies and storesdata points that are adjacent to the height map vertical ray(pre-defined process block 560, see FIG. 6 and corresponding text forfurther details). Processing then generates an image for a plurality ofheight map intersection points using the stored adjacent data points(pre-defined process block 570, see FIG. 7 and corresponding text forfurther details).

A determination is made as to whether there are more interestingvertical half planes to process (decision 580). If there are moreinteresting vertical half planes, decision 580 branches to “Yes” branch582 which loops back to select (step 590) and process the next verticalplane. This looping continues until there are no more vertical halfplanes to process, at which point decision 580 branches to “No” branch588, and processing ends at 595.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing steps taken in collecting adjacent datapoints for a particular height map vertical ray. Processing commences at600, whereupon processing identifies a height map vertical ray's memoryfootprint start point (i.e. start point). The start point is typicallydefined by the location at which a ray intersects a height map, wherebythe ray originates from an eye point and travels through the bottom of aview screen (see FIG. 1 and corresponding text for further detailsregarding start point identification).

Processing identifies the height map vertical ray's memory footprint endpoint (i.e. end point) at step 620. The end point is defined either bythe location at which the height map ends or the location at which a rayintersects a height map, whereby the ray originates from an eye pointand travels through the top of a view screen (see FIG. 1 andcorresponding text for further details regarding end pointidentification).

Processing selects a first scan-line intersection point on the heightmap vertical ray that is in between the start point and end point (step630). A scan-line intersection point is a point on the height mapvertical, ray that intersects a scan-line on the height map (see FIG. 2Cand corresponding text for further details regarding scan-lines).Processing identifies data points that are adjacent to the firstscan-line intersection point at step 640, and stores the adjacent datapoints in subset store 660 at step 650. In one embodiment, instead ofstoring the actual adjacent data points, processing stores the locationof the adjacent data points (e.g. a pointer). Subset store 660 may bestored on a nonvolatile storage area, such as a computer hard drive.

A determination is made as to whether there are more scan-lineintersection points to process that are between the start point and theend point (decision 670). If there are more scan-line intersectionpoints to process, decision 670 branches to “Yes” branch 672 which loopsback to select (step 680) and process the next scan-line intersectionpoint. This looping continues until there are no more scan-lineintersection points to process, at which point decision 670 branches to“No” branch 678 whereupon processing returns at 690.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps taken in generating image values forheight map intersection points. Processing commences at 700, whereuponprocessing identifies a height map vertical ray's minor step (step 705).A vertical ray has a corresponding major step and minor step. If avertical ray travels in the Y direction more than the X direction, theray is considered Y major and the minor step is how much the verticalray travels in the X direction for every one step in the Y direction(i.e. major step). Conversely, if a vertical ray travels in the Xdirection more than the Y direction, the ray is considered X major andthe minor step is how much the vertical ray travels in the Y directionfor every one step in the X direction (i.e. major step) (see FIG. 4 andcorresponding text for further details regarding minor steps).

Processing computes a quadrilateral weighting factor and a triangularweighting factor using the minor step at step 710. The associationbetween the minor step, the quadrilateral weighting factor and thetriangular weighting factor is as follows:triangular weighting factor=minor stepquadrilateral weighting factor=1−minor step

Therefore, the following conditions apply to the minor step (ms) inrelation to quadrilateral and triangular weighting:

-   -   If ms=0, then only quadrilateral weighting    -   If 0<ms<0.5, then more quadrilateral weighting        -   If ms=0.5, then equal quadrilateral and triangular weighting    -   If 0.5<ms<1, then more triangular weighting    -   If ms=1, then only triangular weighting

At step 715, processing selects an initial pixel sampling density alonga view screen vertical ray. A view screen vertical ray is a ray along aview screen that corresponds to a vertical half plane. The pixelsampling density corresponds to how many view screen intersection pointson a per pixel basis that processing should identify correspondingheight map intersection points (see FIG. 1 and corresponding text forfurther details regarding view screen vertical rays, view screenintersection points, and height map intersection points).

Processing selects a first view screen intersection point at step 720.In one embodiment, processing selects a plurality of view screenintersection points. In this embodiment, a heterogeneous computer systemmay be used, such as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in order to processfour view screen intersection points in parallel.

At step 725, processing uses the selected view screen intersection pointto calculate a height map intersection point. As one skilled in the artcan appreciate, well know ray tracing techniques may be used to performthe calculation. Processing retrieves adjacent data points from subsetstore 660 that correspond to the calculated height map intersectionpoint (step 730). The adjacent data points were previously stored insubset store 660 during adjacent data point collection (see FIG. 6 andcorresponding text for further details).

At step 735, processing uses the adjacent data points to calculate aquadrilateral data value. The quadrilateral data value includes both anormal value and a color value (see FIG. 3A and corresponding text forfurther details regarding quadrilateral data value calculations). Atstep 740, processing uses the adjacent data points to calculate atriangular data value. The triangular data value also includes both anormal value and a color value (see FIG. 3B and corresponding text forfurther details regarding triangular data value calculations).

Processing computes a blended data value using the triangular weightingfactor (twf), the quadrilateral weighting factor (twf), thequadrilateral data value (qdv) and the triangular data value (tdv) asfollows:Blended Data Value=twf*tdv+qwf*qdv

Processing calculates a blended data value for both normal values andcolor values. Processing computes an aggregate color value using theblended normal values and the blended color values at step 750, andstores the aggregate blended data value in image store 760 at step 755.Image store 760 may be stored on a nonvolatile storage area, such as acomputer hard drive.

At step 770, processing adjusts the pixel sampling density based uponthe location of the previously used height map intersection points. Forexample, if the height map intersection points were far apart,processing increases the pixel sampling density, which results inincreased (and closer) height map intersection points.

A determination is made as to whether there are more view screenintersection points to process (step 780). If there are more view screenintersection points to process, decision 780 branches to “Yes” branch782 which loops back to select (step 785) and process the next viewscreen intersection point. This looping continues until there are nomore view screen intersection points to process, at which point decision780 branches to “No” branch 788 whereupon processing returns at 790.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a cache optimized data format. Data stream 800 isspecifically designed to include normalized data, whereby the datastream is optimized to a processor's memory configuration for theprocessor to generate image values, such as one of the synergisticprocessing complexes that are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Data stream 800 includes data values for two adjacent data points, whichare included in left data point 810 and right data point 850. Left datapoint 810 includes height data in bytes 815 and 820. Bytes 825 and 830include normalized x and y data values, respectively, for left datapoint 810. The normalized data values may be generated for left datapoint 810 during system initialization so as to not require computationtime when the system generates image values. Bytes 835, 840, and 845include color data for red color, green color, and blue color,respectively.

Right data point 850 includes the same byte locations as left data point810. Right data point 850's height data is included in bytes 855 and860. Bytes 865 and 870 include normalized x and y data values,respectively, for right data point 850. Again, the normalized data maybe generated for right data point 850 during system initialization so asto not require computation time when the system generates image values.Bytes 875, 880, and 885 include color data for red color, green color,and blue color, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps taken in storing data in a cacheoptimized data stream and sending the data stream to a processor forprocessing. Processing commences at 900, whereupon processing retrievesadjacent data points that correspond to a height map intersection point(step 905). The height map intersection point has two correspondingadjacent data points which are a left data point and a right data point.In one embodiment, a height map intersection point may have fouradjacent data points which are an upper left, and upper right, a lowerleft, and a lower right data point.

At step 910, processing extracts normalized data from the left adjacentdata point. The left adjacent data point's normalized data may becalculated prior to identifying the adjacent data points. For example,when a software program initializes, the software program may generatenormalized data for each height map data point using their adjacent datapoints, and then storing the normalized data in each data point.

Processing extracts height and color data from the left adjacent datapoint at step 915. The height data may be two bytes in length and thecolor may be three bytes in length whereby each color byte correspondsto a red color, a green color, and a blue color. At step 920, processingstores the left adjacent data point's normalized data, height data, andcolor data in data stream 800. Data stream 800 is specifically designedto function with processor 975's limited cache size and is the same asthat shown in FIG. 8.

At step 940, processing extracts normalized data from the right adjacentdata point. Again, the right adjacent data point's normalized data maybe calculated prior to identifying the adjacent data points. Processingextracts height and color data from the right adjacent data point atstep 950 and, at step 960, processing stores the right adjacent datapoint's normalized data, height data, and color data in data stream 800.

Processing sends data stream 800 to processor 975 at step 970. Processor975 has a limited cache size such as one of the synergistic processingcomplexes shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Processor 975 calculates a heightmap intersection point image value using the data that is included indata stream 800 (see FIG. 7 and corresponding text for further detailsregarding height map intersection point image value generation).Processing receives the height map intersection point image values fromprocessor 975 at step 980, and stores the image values in image store760. Image store 760 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and may bestored on a nonvolatile storage area, such as a computer hard drive.Processing ends at 995.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processor element architecture thatincludes a plurality of heterogeneous processors. The heterogeneousprocessors share a common memory and a common bus. Processor elementarchitecture (PEA) 1000 sends and receives information to/from externaldevices through input output 1070, and distributes the information tocontrol plane 1010 and data plane 1040 using processor element bus 1060.Control plane 1010 manages PEA 1000 and distributes work to data plane1040.

Control plane 1010 includes processing unit 1020 which runs operatingsystem (OS) 1025. For example, processing unit 1020 may be a Power PCcore that is embedded in PEA 1000 and OS 1025 may be a Linux operatingsystem. Processing unit 1020 manages a common memory map table for PEA1000. The memory map table corresponds to memory locations included inPEA 1000, such as L2 memory 1030 as well as non-private memory includedin data plane 1040 (see FIGS. 11A, 11B, and corresponding text forfurther details regarding memory mapping).

Data plane 1040 includes Synergistic Processing Complex's (SPC) 1045,1050, and 1055. Each SPC is used to process data information and eachSPC may have different instruction sets. For example, PEA 1000 may beused in a wireless communications system and each SPC may be responsiblefor separate processing tasks, such as modulation, chip rate processing,encoding, and network interfacing. In another example, each SPC may haveidentical instruction sets and may be used in parallel to performoperations benefiting from parallel processes. Each SPC includes asynergistic processing unit (SPU) which is a processing core, such as adigital signal processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or acombination of these cores.

SPC 1045, 1050, and 1055 are connected to processor element bus 1060which passes information between control plane 1010, data plane 1040,and input/output 1070. Bus 1060 is an on-chip coherent multi-processorbus that passes information between I/O 1070, control plane 1010, anddata plane 1040. Input/output 1070 includes flexible input-output logicwhich dynamically assigns interface pins to input output controllersbased upon peripheral devices that are connected to PEA 1000. Forexample, PEA 1000 may be connected to two peripheral devices, such asperipheral A and peripheral B, whereby each peripheral connects to aparticular number of input and output pins on PEA 1000. In this example,the flexible input-output logic is configured to route PEA 1000'sexternal input and output pins that are connected to peripheral A to afirst input output controller (i.e. IOC A) and route PEA 1000's externalinput and output pins that are connected to peripheral B to a secondinput output controller (i.e. IOC B).

FIG. 11A illustrates a first information handling system which is asimplified example of a computer system capable of performing thecomputing operations described herein. The example in FIG. 11A shows aplurality of heterogeneous processors using a common memory map in orderto share memory between the heterogeneous processors. Device 1100includes processing unit 1130 which executes an operating system fordevice 1100. Processing unit 1130 is similar to processing unit 4320shown in FIG. 10. Processing unit 1130 uses system memory map 1120 toallocate memory space throughout device 1100. For example, processingunit 1130 uses system memory map 1120 to identify and allocate memoryareas when processing unit 1130 receives a memory request. Processingunit 1130 access L2 memory 1125 for retrieving application and datainformation. L2 memory 1125 is similar to L2 memory 1030 shown in FIG.10.

System memory map 1120 separates memory mapping areas into regions whichare regions 1135, 1145, 1150, 1155, and 1160. Region 1135 is a mappingregion for external system memory which may be controlled by a separateinput output device. Region 1145 is a mapping region for non-privatestorage locations corresponding to one or more synergistic processingcomplexes, such as SPC 1102. SPC 1102 is similar to the SPC's shown inFIG. 10, such as SPC A 1045. SPC 1102 includes local memory, such aslocal store 1110, whereby portions of the local memory may be allocatedto the overall system memory for other processors to access. Forexample, 1 MB of local store 1110 may be allocated to non-privatestorage whereby it becomes accessible by other heterogeneous processors.In this example, local storage aliases 1145 manages the 1 MB ofnonprivate storage located in local store 1110.

Region 1150 is a mapping region for translation lookaside buffer's(TLB's) and memory flow control (MFC registers. A translation lookasidebuffer includes cross-references between virtual address and realaddresses of recently referenced pages of memory. The memory flowcontrol provides interface functions between the processor and the bussuch as DMA control and synchronization.

Region 1155 is a mapping region for the operating system and is pinnedsystem memory with bandwidth and latency guarantees. Region 1160 is amapping region for input output devices that are external to device 1100and are defined by system and input output architectures.

Synergistic processing complex (SPC) 1102 includes synergisticprocessing unit (SPU) 1105, local store 1110, and memory management unit(MMU) 1115. Processing unit 1130 manages SPU 1105 and processes data inresponse to processing unit 1130's direction. For example SPU 1105 maybe a digital signaling processing core, a microprocessor core, a microcontroller core, or a combination of these cores. Local store 1110 is astorage area that SPU 1105 configures for a private storage area and anon-private storage area. For example, if SPU 1105 requires asubstantial amount of local memory, SPU 1105 may allocate 100% of localstore 1110 to private memory. In another example, if SPU 1105 requires aminimal amount of local memory, SPU 1105 may allocate 10% of local store1110 to private memory and allocate the remaining 90% of local store1110 to non-private memory (see FIG. 11B and corresponding text forfurther details regarding local store configuration).

The portions of local store 1110 that are allocated to non-privatememory are managed by system memory map 1120 in region 1145. Thesenon-private memory regions may be accessed by other SPU's or byprocessing unit 1130. MMU 1115 includes a direct memory access (DMA)function and passes information from local store 1110 to other memorylocations within device 1100.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a local storage area divided into privatememory and non-private memory. During system boot, synergisticprocessing unit (SPU) 1160 partitions local store 1170 into two regionswhich are private store 1175 and non-private store 1180. SPU 1160 issimilar to SPU 1105 and local store 1170 is similar to local store 1110that are shown in FIG. 11A. Private store 1175 is accessible by SPU 1160whereas non-private store 1180 is accessible by SPU 1160 as well asother processing units within a particular device. SPU 1160 uses privatestore 1175 for fast access to data. For example, SPU 1160 may beresponsible for complex computations that require SPU 1160 to quicklyaccess extensive amounts of data that is stored in memory. In thisexample, SPU 1160 may allocate 100% of local store 1170 to private store1175 in order to ensure that SPU 1160 has enough local memory to access.In another example, SPU 1160 may not require a large amount of localmemory and therefore, may allocate 10% of local store 1170 to privatestore 1175 and allocate the remaining 90% of local store 1170 tonon-private store 1180.

A system memory mapping region, such as local storage aliases 1190,manages portions of local store 1170 that are allocated to non-privatestorage. Local storage aliases 1190 is similar to local storage aliases1145 that is shown in FIG. 11A. Local storage aliases 1190 managesnon-private storage for each SPU and allows other SPU's to access thenon-private storage as well as a device's control processing unit.

FIG. 12 illustrates a second information handling system 1201 which is asimplified example of a computer system capable of performing thecomputing operations described herein. Computer system 1201 includesprocessor 1200 which is coupled to host bus 1202. A level two (L2) cachememory 1204 is also coupled to host bus 1202. Host-to-PCI bridge 1206 iscoupled to main memory 1208, includes cache memory and main memorycontrol functions, and provides bus control to handle transfers amongPCI bus 1210, processor 1200, L2 cache 1204, main memory 1208, and hostbus 1202. Main memory 1208 is coupled to Host-to-PCI bridge 1206 as wellas host bus 1202. Devices used solely by host processor(s) 1200, such asLAN card 1230, are coupled to PCI bus 1210. Service Processor Interfaceand ISA Access Pass-through 1212 provides an interface between PCI bus1210 and PCI bus 1214. In this manner, PCI bus 1214 is insulated fromPCI bus 1210. Devices, such as flash memory 1218, are coupled to PCI bus1214. In one implementation, flash memory 1218 includes BIOS code thatincorporates the necessary processor executable code for a variety oflow-level system functions and system boot functions.

PCI bus 1214 provides an interface for a variety of devices that areshared by host processor(s) 1200 and Service Processor 1216 including,for example, flash memory 1218. PCI-to-ISA bridge 1235 provides buscontrol to handle transfers between PCI bus 1214 and ISA bus 1240,universal serial bus (USB) functionality 1245, power managementfunctionality 1255, and can include other functional elements not shown,such as a real-time clock (RTC), DMA control, interrupt support, andsystem management bus support. Nonvolatile RAM 1220 is attached to ISABus 1240. Service Processor 1216 includes JTAG and I2C busses 1222 forcommunication with processor(s) 1200 during initialization steps.JTAG/I2C busses 1222 are also coupled to L2 cache 1204, Host-to-PCIbridge 1206, and main memory 1208 providing a communications pathbetween the processor, the Service Processor, the L2 cache, theHost-to-PCI bridge, and the main memory. Service Processor 1216 also hasaccess to system power resources for powering down information handlingdevice 1201.

Peripheral devices and input/output (I/O) devices can be attached tovarious interfaces (e.g., parallel interface 1262, serial interface1264, keyboard interface 1268, and mouse interface 1270 coupled to ISAbus 1240. Alternatively, many I/O devices can be accommodated by a superI/O controller (not shown) attached to ISA bus 1240.

In order to attach computer system 1201 to another computer system tocopy files over a network, LAN card 1230 is coupled to PCI bus 1210.Similarly, to connect computer system 1201 to an ISP to connect to theInternet using a telephone line connection, modem 1275 is connected toserial port 1264 and PCI-to-ISA Bridge 1235.

While the computer system described in FIG. 12 is capable of executingthe processes described herein, this computer system is simply oneexample of a computer system. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat many other computer system designs are capable of performing theprocesses described herein.

One of the preferred implementations of the invention is an application,namely, a set of instructions (program code) in a code module which may,for example, be resident in the random access memory of the computer.Until required by the computer, the set of instructions may be stored inanother computer memory, for example, on a hard disk drive, or inremovable storage such as an optical disk (for eventual use in a CD ROM)or floppy disk (for eventual use in a floppy disk drive). Thus, thepresent invention may be implemented as a computer program product foruse in a computer. In addition, although the various methods describedare conveniently implemented in a general purpose computer selectivelyactivated or reconfigured by software, one of ordinary skill in the artwould also recognize that such methods may be carried out in hardware,in firmware, or in more specialized apparatus constructed to perform therequired method steps.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from this invention and its broader aspects and,therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theinvention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will beunderstood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitlyrecited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no suchlimitation is present. For a non-limiting example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimelements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element,even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more”or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”; the sameholds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.

1. A computer-implemented method comprising: identifying a minor stepthat corresponds to a height map vertical ray; calculating a firstweighting factor and a second weighting factor using the minor step, thefirst weighting factor corresponding to a first sampling technique andthe second weighting factor corresponding to a second samplingtechnique; selecting a height map intersection point that is included inthe height map vertical ray; retrieving one or more data values that areadjacent to the height map intersection point; and generating an imageusing the data values, the first weighting factor, and the secondweighting factor.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first weightingfactor is a quadrilateral weighting factor and the second weightingfactor is a triangular weighting factor, the method further comprising:calculating a quadrilateral data value; calculating a triangular datavalue; and computing a blended data value using the quadrilateralweighting factor, the triangular weighting factor, the quadrilateraldata value, and the triangular data value.
 3. The method of claim 2wherein a normal value and a color value are calculated for both of thequadrilateral data values and the triangular data values.
 4. The methodof claim 3 further comprising: computing an aggregate color value usingthe normal value and the color value.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinthe height map vertical ray corresponds to a vertical plane, the methodfurther comprising: identifying a view screen vertical ray thatcorresponds to the vertical plane; selecting a sampling density thatcorresponds to the view screen vertical ray; selecting a view screenintersection point that is included in the view screen vertical ray andcorresponds to the sampling density; and correlating the view screenintersection point to the height map intersection point.
 6. The methodof claim 5 further comprising: determining whether to change thesampling density; and changing the sampling density based upon thedetermination.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting includesthe selection of a plurality of height map intersection points, wherebyeach of the plurality of height map intersection points is processedsimultaneously.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is performedusing a plurality of heterogeneous processors.
 9. A computer programproduct stored on a computer operable media, the computer operable mediacontaining instructions for execution by a computer, which, whenexecuted by the computer, cause the computer to execute a methodcomprising: identifying a minor step that corresponds to a height mapvertical ray; calculating a first weighting factor and a secondweighting factor using the minor step, the first weighting factorcorresponding to a first sampling technique and the second weightingfactor corresponding to a second sampling technique; selecting a heightmap intersection point that is included in the height map vertical ray;retrieving one or more data values that are adjacent to the height mapintersection point; and generating an image using the data values, thefirst weighting factor, and the second weighting factor.
 10. The programproduct of claim 9 wherein the first weighting factor is a quadrilateralweighting factor and the second weighting factor is a triangularweighting factor, the method further comprising: calculating aquadrilateral data value; calculating a triangular data value; andcomputing a blended data value using the quadrilateral weighting factor,the triangular weighting factor, the quadrilateral data value, and thetriangular data value.
 11. The program product of claim 10 wherein anormal value and a color value are calculated for both of thequadrilateral data values and the triangular data values.
 12. Theprogram product of claim 11 wherein the the method further comprises:computing an aggregate color value using the normal value and the colorvalue.
 13. The program product of claim 9 wherein the height mapvertical ray corresponds to a vertical plane, the method furthercomprising: identifying a view screen vertical ray that corresponds tothe vertical plane; selecting a sampling density that corresponds to theview screen vertical ray; selecting a view screen intersection pointthat is included in the view screen vertical ray and corresponds to thesampling density; and correlating the view screen intersection point tothe height map intersection point.
 14. The program product of claim 13wherein the method further comprises: determining whether to change thesampling density; and changing the sampling density based upon thedetermination.
 15. The program product of claim 9 wherein the selectingincludes the selection of a plurality of height map intersection points,whereby each of the plurality of height map intersection points isprocessed simultaneously.
 16. The program product of claim 9 wherein themethod is performed using a plurality of heterogeneous processors. 17.An information handling system comprising: a display; one or moreprocessors; a memory accessible by the processors; one or morenonvolatile storage devices accessible by the processors; and a datasampling tool for rendering images, the data sampling tool comprisingsoftware code effective to: identify a minor step that corresponds to aheight map vertical ray; calculate a first weighting factor and a secondweighting factor using the minor step, the first weighting factorcorresponding to a first sampling technique and the second weightingfactor corresponding to a second sampling technique; select a height mapintersection point located in one of the nonvolatile storage devicesthat is included in the height map vertical ray; retrieve one or moredata values from one of the nonvolatile storage devices that areadjacent to the height map intersection point; and generate an image onthe display using the data values, the first weighting factor, and thesecond weighting factor.
 18. The information handling system of claim 17wherein the first weighting factor is a quadrilateral weighting factorand the second weighting factor is a triangular weighting factor, thesoftware code further effective to: calculate a quadrilateral datavalue; calculate a triangular data value; compute a blended data valueusing the quadrilateral weighting factor, the triangular weightingfactor, the quadrilateral data value, and the triangular data value; andstore the computed blended data value in one of the nonvolatile storagedevices.
 19. The information handling system of claim 19 wherein anormal value and a color value are calculated for both of thequadrilateral data values and the triangular data values, the softwarecode further effective to: compute an aggregate color value using thenormal value and the color value; and store the computed aggregate colorvalue in one of the nonvolatile storage devices.
 20. The informationhandling system of claim 17 wherein the height map vertical raycorresponds to a vertical plane, the software code further effective to:identify a view screen vertical ray that corresponds to the verticalplane and the display; select a sampling density that corresponds to theview screen vertical ray; select a view screen intersection point thatis included in the view screen vertical ray and corresponds to thesampling density; and correlate the view screen intersection point tothe height map intersection point.